The Swoon Sixteen Block is a timeless quilt pattern that adds a bold, elegant look to any quilting project. With its symmetrical design and oversized starburst pattern, it’s no wonder this block is beloved by quilters of all levels.
Despite its complex appearance, the Swoon Sixteen is surprisingly manageable, especially with a step-by-step guide.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of making your very own Swoon Sixteen block, including fabric cutting and piecing techniques. Let’s dive into this beautiful quilting journey!
Materials and Fabric Cuts for the Swoon Sixteen Block
Before getting started on your Swoon Sixteen block, it’s important to gather your materials and cut your fabric precisely. This block relies on contrast, so selecting a combination of light, medium, and dark fabrics will allow the design to shine.
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Fabric Requirements:
- Background Fabric (Light): ½ yard
- Accent Fabric (Medium): ⅓ yard
- Feature Fabric (Dark): ⅓ yard
Cutting the Fabric:
For one Swoon Sixteen block, you’ll need to cut the following pieces from your fabric:
- Background Fabric:
- Eight 4½” squares (for the half-square triangles)
- Four 3½” squares (for the corner units)
- Two 4½” x 8½” rectangles (for the center star)
- Accent Fabric:
- Four 4½” squares (for the half-square triangles)
- Two 4½” x 8½” rectangles (for the center star)
- Feature Fabric:
- Eight 3½” x 4½” rectangles (for the flying geese units)
- Four 3½” squares (for the corner units)
Once all your fabric is cut, the next step is to start piecing together the half-square triangles, which form the foundation of the Swoon Sixteen block.
Making the Half-Square Triangles (HSTs)
The half-square triangles (HSTs) are essential to the structure of the Swoon Sixteen block. These units add sharp angles and symmetry to the overall design, and they’re relatively simple to make.
Step 1: Pairing the Squares
Take one 4½” square of your background fabric and pair it with a 4½” square of your accent fabric. Place the squares right sides together, ensuring the edges are perfectly aligned. On the lighter fabric, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner using a fabric marker or pencil.
Step 2: Sewing and Cutting
Sew a seam ¼ inch on either side of the drawn diagonal line. After sewing, use a rotary cutter to cut along the drawn line, creating two half-square triangles. Press the seams toward the darker fabric and trim each HST to measure 4” square. Repeat this process until you have eight HSTs in total.
Step 3: Assembling the Units
Once your HSTs are ready, set them aside as they will be used later when assembling the main star points. The next step is to work on the flying geese units, which are another essential component of the Swoon Sixteen block.
Constructing the Flying Geese Units
The flying geese units form the outer edges of the star in the Swoon Sixteen block. Their triangular shape helps create the dynamic, geometric look of the pattern.
Step 1: Preparing the Rectangles and Squares
For the flying geese units, you will use your feature fabric rectangles and background fabric squares. Take one 3½” x 4½” rectangle of your feature fabric and two 3½” squares of the background fabric.
Step 2: Creating the Flying Geese
Place one 3½” background square on top of the rectangle, right sides together, with the square aligned on one end of the rectangle. Draw a diagonal line from one corner of the square to the opposite corner. Sew directly on this line, then trim away the excess fabric, leaving a ¼ inch seam allowance. Press the seam toward the background fabric.
Repeat the same process on the opposite side of the rectangle with another 3½” background square, creating the completed flying geese unit. Trim it to measure 3½” x 4½”. You’ll need to make eight flying geese units in total for the Swoon Sixteen block.
Step 3: Completing the Flying Geese Units
After all eight flying geese units are sewn, press them carefully and set them aside. These will be used to form the outer star points when the block is assembled.
Assembling the Swoon Sixteen Block
With the HSTs and flying geese units completed, you’re now ready to assemble the full Swoon Sixteen block.
Step 1: Arranging the Pieces
Lay out all of your units following the Swoon Sixteen block pattern. The HSTs will form the inner points of the star, while the flying geese units will create the outer points. Place your 4½” x 8½” rectangles in the center, and use the 3½” squares of feature fabric for the corners.
Step 2: Sewing the Rows
Begin sewing the pieces together in rows. Each row will have a combination of flying geese units, half-square triangles, and squares. Pay close attention to the direction of the triangles and geese to ensure the star pattern forms correctly. Sew each unit with a ¼ inch seam allowance and press the seams as you go.
Step 3: Completing the Block
Once all the rows are sewn, sew the rows together to complete the Swoon Sixteen block. The block should measure 16½” x 16½” at this stage, including the seam allowances. Give the block a final press to ensure all seams are flat and crisp.
Adding the Swoon Sixteen Block to a Quilt
The Swoon Sixteen block is a versatile design that can be used in various quilting projects. Whether you choose to use this block alone or combine it with others, the results will be stunning.
Step 1: Planning the Layout
A quilt made entirely of Swoon Sixteen blocks will have a striking, cohesive look. Consider making a quilt that features nine blocks (three rows of three) to create a larger quilt top. Alternatively, you can use the block as a central medallion in a larger quilt, surrounded by simpler blocks or sashing.
Step 2: Adding Sashing and Borders
If you plan to use multiple Swoon Sixteen blocks in one quilt, consider adding sashing between the blocks to separate them and highlight the starburst design. 3” sashing strips made from a coordinating background fabric can help break up the blocks while maintaining the cohesive look of the quilt. You can also add a border to the quilt to frame the blocks.
Step 3: Quilting and Binding
Once the quilt top is assembled, it’s time to quilt it. Given the intricate design of the Swoon Sixteen block, a simple straight-line quilting pattern or stipple quilting will allow the design to stand out without competing with the piecing. After quilting, bind the quilt with a coordinating fabric to complete your masterpiece.
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Tips for Creating the Perfect Swoon Sixteen Block
Quilting the Swoon Sixteen block requires attention to detail, especially when working with the various angles and points. Here are some tips to help you achieve perfect results.
Tip 1: Accurate Cutting and Piecing
Precision is key when creating the Swoon Sixteen block. Use a sharp rotary cutter and rulers to ensure that all your pieces are cut accurately. Even slight variations in measurements can cause the points of the star to misalign, so take your time with the cutting process.
Tip 2: Chain Piecing for Efficiency
To save time, use chain piecing when sewing multiple units together. Chain piecing involves sewing consecutive seams without cutting the thread between each unit, allowing you to work more efficiently and stay organized.
Tip 3: Press Seams Carefully
Pressing seams correctly is essential for maintaining accuracy in the Swoon Sixteen block. Press seams toward the darker fabric wherever possible, and use spray starch to help keep your fabric crisp and flat.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating a stunning Swoon Sixteen block that will be the centerpiece of your next quilt.
Conclusion
The Swoon Sixteen block is a gorgeous quilt pattern that can elevate any quilting project with its bold design and intricate geometry. Although the block may seem complex at first, breaking it down into smaller steps—such as making half-square triangles and flying geese units—makes it much more approachable. By following this step-by-step tutorial and using precise cutting and sewing techniques, you’ll be able to create a Swoon Sixteen block that is both beautiful and professionally finished.
Whether you’re making a single block for a wall hanging or piecing together multiple blocks for a larger quilt, the Swoon Sixteen block is sure to be a showstopper. Happy quilting!
